Children's Home run by Leeds City Council in Leeds

Unique reference number SC033723 Inspection date 31/01/2011 Inspector Nicola McEvinney Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 24/08/2010 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

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You can obtain copies of The Children Act 2004, Every Child Matters and The National Minimum Standards for Children’s Services from: The Stationery Office (TSO) PO Box 29, St Crispins, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 1GN. Tel: 0870 600 5522. Online ordering: www.tso.co.uk/bookshop

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About this inspection

The purpose of this inspection is to assure children and young people, parents, the public, local authorities and government of the quality and standard of the service provided. The inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000.

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About this inspection

This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004 and the relevant National Minimum Standards for the service.

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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Brief description of the service

This is a purpose-built children’s home, which is operated by a local authority. The home is situated at the head of a cul-de-sac, on a residential housing estate. It is within easy reach of a number of local amenities, which provide a wide range of facilities that the young people living at the home are able to access.

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Brief description of the service

The home provides medium to long-term care for up to five females, between the ages of 10 and 17 years with emotional or behavioural difficulties.

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Brief description of the service

Each young person has a single, first floor bedroom. There are two staff sleeping-in rooms. There is a choice of bathing facilities and toilets. On the ground floor there is a dining room with conservatory attached, separate lounge area and a domestic kitchen. There is also a laundry room and two offices.

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Brief description of the service

There are gardens to the front, side and rear of the property, but the back garden has a steep incline. There is no designated parking.

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Summary

This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

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Summary

The purpose of this unannounced interim inspection was to check on the recommendation made at the last inspection and to ensure young people are safe.

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Summary

This is a good home, the young people are cared for by a well-established competent staff team who have a good understanding of safeguarding issues. The home runs a weekly girls group and occasionally have outside facilitators to talk to the girls about keeping themselves safe and to raise their awareness on this issue.

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Summary

There were no recommendations or requirements made at this inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The home has met the recommendation made at the last inspection. The Statement of Purpose contains a staffing policy setting out the staffing of the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people's files are kept securely to ensure confidentiality.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

An individual from a children's rights organisation is a regular visitor to the home and will advocate on behalf of the young people. One minor complaint was recorded which was dealt with appropriately.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff have a good awareness of safeguarding issues and are vigilant in monitoring who the girls associate with. The home has a weekly girls group where discussions on personal safety in relationships is undertaken and work done on building the girls self esteem, to help them to keep themselves safe. Staff have attended a range of courses on safeguarding including sexual exploitation and internet safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Although the girls may have the occasional fallout there are no bullying concerns at this time.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are good systems in place with individual protocols advising staff what action to take in the event of a young person failing to return to the home when expected. The older girls may stay out with family or friends but staff will keep in regular contact to ensure that they are safe. There are no concerns at this time of young people going missing. Staff provide bus passes to ensure the girls get home safely but will collect young people or organise a taxi if necessary, to ensure their safe return.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There were four restraints recorded since the last inspection, these were appropriate to prevent behaviour escalating. Five sanctions were recorded, and again these were appropriate. These records are closely monitored by the Registered Manager and young people are encouraged to have their views recorded following any disciplinary measure. Each girl has an individual crisis management plan identifying anticipated behaviours with strategies in place to manage these behaviours.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are good risk assessments in place for each individual young person, the premises and activities clearly identifying the risk with strategies in place to minimise this risk. These risk assessments are regularly reviewed to ensure that they are current. Fire records are in good order with drills held regularly including at night to ensure that everybody knows what action to take in the event of a fire occurring at this time. The home is vigilant in checking the identity of visitors to the home ensuring only suitable people have access to the girls.

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